Franklin Central student has been featured on “Nashville Spotlight”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MANNING Megan Manning belts out one of her favorite tunes.

By Kenny NormanSouthsider Voice correspondent

Megan Manning isn’t your average 17-year-old high school student. She’s also an equestrian, a National Honor Society member, a dance marathon committee member and a recording artist. When she isn’t participating in extracurricular activities, she attends Franklin Central.Manning has been featured on “Nashville Spotlight” and will head back to Nashville, Tenn., next month to participate in her second “Spotlight Showcase” during Country Music Awards weekend.“She has determined very early on what she wants her career path to be and what she is required to do to get to that point,” said Mike Manning, her father. He added that he and his wife, Donna, can get her in a proper environment, but “getting there the rest of the way is simply only through Megan’s drive for her goals.”She began singing publicly in the fifth grade, with her first performance being Kelly Clarkson’s “Walk Away” during a talent show in front of several hundred fellow students, parents and family. According to Mr. Manning, many still come up to him recounting how amazed they were by her performance that night. Manning, who received several awards as a soloist in middle school, said she has enjoyed every minute of the recording process so far, though she added that one of the most difficult aspects is standing still while singing to avoid unnecessary noise on the recording. Although it’s getting harder for her to find places to perform due to her age, she sings every year at the Johnson County Fair and other venues. “The best part of my career is getting my music out to an audience that can listen to it and connect to it,” said Manning, who is scheduled to release her second album this summer. “The most challenging part is what to say when you talk to an audience between songs. The most interesting part is having strangers know your name because of your music; it’s a really strange yet totally awesome feeling.“Some of the most fun we have (in recording sessions) is going into random, dancing and playing while we are waiting on the music to play back in our headphones. All of the songs on my EP (extended play album) and my new album are 100 percent original. I write the lyrics, assemble a feel of the song and then Mike Perry and Phil Elmore help me polish it and get it to a finished product.”Studio owner and engineer Perry started the recording process with Manning back in early 2013, when her father gave her studio time as a Christmas present. Perry said he believes that Manning truly “has a gift when it comes to writing and singing.“Megan has accomplished more in a couple of years than most do in many years,” said Perry. “She is paying her dues and learning every time she has an opportunity. I always encouraged her to perform and work with whomever and whenever she has the opportunity, as every musician has something different to offer.”Elmore, producer of Manning’s records, has known her for more than two years. She walked into Lightning Struck Studio in Clayton, Ind., with her parents following a suggestion from Perry.“I wasn’t expecting much from a teen who played piano a little and hadn’t performed publicly much, but Megan turned out to be a big surprise,” said Elmore. He noted that Manning has a strong character and has not let her talent get the best of her, citing her loyalty and patience as examples and saying that she is dedicated to getting things right. “Megan has always proven to be dedicated, hardworking, loyal and trustworthy,” said Mike. “It is Megan’s ambition and drive that has gotten her to this point. Donna, I and our families provide the support system, and, of course, her live studio audience for testing and rehearsals.”

Elmore said Manning’s parents “have facilitated a very active performance schedule for Megan in the last couple of years.” And because of that, she has gained a level of experience and professionalism that engenders envy in her contemporaries. “Megan’s family has given her all the support she could ever ask for and more. It is a team effort,” said Perry.Another interest of Manning’s is horses, and she has been showing her horse locally, regionally and nationally since she was 7. “From the second I sat on a horse, I knew it was going to be a large part of my life, and I’ve never grew out of the ‘I love horses’ phase. “I enjoy having the opportunity to help people, so when the chance for the National Honor Society came up, I jumped at it.”She added that it is challenging to balance all of her activities with school. Upon completing her homework, it’s off to the barn if she’s not heading to the studio.After graduating from Franklin Central, Manning, whose website is www.megan-manning.com, plans to major in business and equine science in college, with a minor in music composition and theory. “My favorite part of music is being able to connect with an audience,” said Manning. “I love it when someone can really relate to what I’m singing or writing about. Whatever you want, you can achieve with hard work and determination. Be thankful for every mistake and wrong turn that you’ve made because maybe it will give you something to write about.”

It all began with Mary Poppins. ... The uncanny nanny who has charmed children for 50 years and is still working her magic with the current generation, including 10-year-old Logan Sejas of Greenwood.“‘Mary Poppins’ has always been my favorite movie,” he said. “So when the musical was on tour, my mom took me to see it.”That’s the moment when Logan became completely enchanted. “I told my mom I wanted to do that someday – be an actor!”And in true Disney fashion, his dream has come true.Logan is starring in the role of Michael Banks in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of the musical “Mary Poppins.” Michael and his sister, Jane (played by Kennedy Martin), have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep in 1910 England. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she teaches the troubled Banks family how to value one another again.“I feel so lucky that I get to be in this show,” Logan said. “ ‘Mary Poppins’ has been my favorite ever since I was little. My mom said when I was 3 I would stand in front of the TV and say, ‘Sugar Movie, Supar Movie’! I’ve probably seen it 100 times. And I love the music so much.“When I saw the musical, my favorite part was the spelling of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”While it’s his debut at Beef & Boards, Logan has been on stage before, most recently as Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. With his lively, spot-on performance and professionalism, he managed to steal a few scenes during the show.His first taste of the stage was at a Roncalli theater camp, where “Willy Wonka” was performed. Since then he has performed with Q Artistry, a community theater in Irvington that teams children with professional actors in original works.Logan, a fourth-grader at St. Rose of Lima in Franklin, was awarded the role of Banks in February, which allowed him enough time to work ahead on his class assignments. Rehearsals took place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., which meant he missed two weeks of school, but his supportive teachers sent work home for him. Luckily, learning his lines seems to come natural. On opening night of “Mary Poppins,” 40 of his classmates, some parents, teachers and his music teacher attended to cheer him on. A few students may have been bitten by the acting bug after seeing him perform.The musical is on stage through June 29. Tickets, $10 for children ages 3-15 and $38.50 to $63.50 for adults, include a buffet dinner and can be reserved by calling 872-9664. Go to their website at beefandboards.com for additional information. The support for his acting began at home with his parents, Kandra and Daniel Sejas, and his siblings, Gabby, 8, and Corbin, 5.Daniel is a barbershop quartet performer, so Logan may have received some of his stage presence from seeing his father perform. Kandra says Logan is a sweet kid who loves the theater and always wants to go back, even after a long day of rehearsals. Gabby and Corbin are proud of their brother and like to pretend they are Jane and Michael Banks. They never seem to tire of watching the movie “Mary Poppins.” What is in Logan’s future? He loves sports and says he would like to play in the NBA someday. He plans to continue his stage work. This young thespian has already recognized that acting is something he is passionate about and has followed through with it. Everyone is waiting to see what he does when he gets older.